Galati, MHS Hurricanes run ends in defeat

by Kevin Cassidy Islander Reporter

A fantastic Manatee High School Hurricanes varsity football team season that captivated the entire county came to an end Dec. 18 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando when MHS dropped a heartbreaking 21-14 decision to Tampa Plant High School.

The Canes fell behind 21-0 in the first half thanks in part to their inability to contain Plant running-back James Wilder Jr., who rushed for 137 yards on 20 carries.

The tapes Wilder will send to recruiting colleges will no doubt include his 42-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He came through the right side of the line and met three Hurricane defenders head on. They all ended up on the seat of their pants while Wilder bounced off and ran around the left end and into the end zone for the TD.

It was a different game in the second half as the Hurricanes found a way to slow him down and the Manatee offense came to life, but in the end, they fell just short.

Though the Canes lose talented players like quarterback Brione Carnes and wide-receiver Ace Sanders, they will see a bevy of talent returning in running-back Mike Blakely, the entire defensive line and Islander Nick Galati. There’s a good chance Manatee will be vying for another shot at the its division championship next year and a deep run into the state playoffs.

Congratulation to Nick and his teammates.

Key Royale golf news

The Key Royale Club men played an 18-hole, low-net-of-partners game Dec. 16. The team of Bob Elliott and Gary Harris combined to card a 1-under-par 127 to take first place by three strokes over a pair of teams. Tom Lewis and Tom O’Brien matched the 130 carded by Art Hibbs and Paul Proxy to tie for second place. Earl Ritchie teamed up with Peter Proxy to take third place with a 131, while Lew Winegarden and Jim Thorton came in fourth with 135.

The women of the club played a nine-hole, low-net game Dec. 15 with Jean Holmes taking top honors in Flight AA. She carded a 1-under 31 to defeat second-place finishers Sue Hookem, Cindi Mansour, Sandy Tocco and Penny Williams by three strokes.

Marcia Helgeson’s 3-under-par 29 was low-net round of the day and put her on top of Flight A by one stroke over Mary Selby. Diane Miller was alone in third place with a 1-over 33.

Dorothy McKinna’s even-par 32 put her on top of Flight B by one shot over second-place finisher Ginny Nunn, while Lois Biel came in third with a 34.

Flight C saw Sally Keyes take first place with a 4-over-par 36 that was one shot better than second-place finishers Joy Nelles, Markie Ksiazek and Mardene Eichhorn.

Nell Bergstrom carded a 1-over-par 33 to take top honors in Flight D by four shots over second-place finisher Margaret Schuller at 37. Sally York and Rose Slomba tied for third place with 39s.

The men’s Dec. 14 nine-hole round was a two-best-balls-of-foursome challenge won by the foursome of Dick Eichhorn, Pete Weir, Bob Landgren and Paul Proxy with a 9-under-par 55. Three teams — Dick Grimme, Chris Collins, Bob Kelly and Earl Ritchie; Joe Dickinson, Al Kaiser, Wade Ladue and Art Hibbs; and Web Cutting, Barry Martin, Paul Kaemmerlen and Jim McCartney — finished one shot back in a tie for second place.

Horseshoe news

Two teams emerged from pool play during Dec. 19 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits and were left to battle for the day’s bragging rights. The team of Art Kingstad and Bruce Wagner outlasted the walking team of one, Gene Bobeldyke 21-16.

The Dec. 16 games saw three teams come make it out of pool play with the prerequisite three wins. The team of Norm Good and John Crawford drew the bye and advanced to the finals where they took on Herb Puryear and Bruce Wagner. They advanced to the finals by defeating Art Kingstad and Bruce Munro 21-11. Puryear and Wagner stayed hot and bested Good and Crawford 21-14 to earn the day’s bragging rights.

Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

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